Asperger’s syndrome through the lens of the dramaturgical model

Abstract

The symptoms and presentation of Asperger’s syndrome (AS) are explained and accounted for through the dramaturgical model, i.e. understanding of how one uses their self as well as their environment to present and promote a definition of reality. It is asserted that while individuals with AS are effective in structured, routinized roles, that they are ‘poor actors’ when their roles require flexibility, responsiveness, and intimacy. Use of this model allows for an intuitive grasp of AS, and sidesteps pathologizing/stigmatization. Treatment applications derived from this model center on educating the individual and their team members as to how AS affects the individual’s and the team’s performance, and suggests general guidelines for working with these limitations so as to maximize successful performances.

Keywords:

• Asperger’s syndrome
• Dramaturgical model
• Stigma
• Performance
• Intimacy
• Treatment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anat Geva

Correspondence to: A Geva, Private Practice, Denver, CO, USA. Email: [email protected]